PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on like-minded nations to actively uphold a rules-based order amid the “widening geopolitical polarities” that threaten the world’s “hard-won peace.”
In his remarks at the Foreign Policy Address hosted by the Observer Research Foundation held in New Delhi on Wednesday, Marcos said the unresolved inequities and inequalities, new technologies with the power to transform but also with the danger of destabilizing political and social order, and the “existential threat” of climate change need to be addressed.
“Despite resounding calls, global unity to address these challenges have unfortunately become even more elusive. In the three years since, geopolitical developments have exerted only greater pressure upon the very structures and norms designed to prevent and resolve conflicts, facilitate trade-driven growth and economic integration, or urge forward collective global action,” he said.
He said these concerns exist “in our very own shared neighborhood” in the Indo-Pacific region.
Marcos said the Philippines, for one, has long been stressing the need to observe a rules-based order amid the threat to the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
He said having a rules-based order is the best guarantee “for the sovereign equality of all states, regardless of size.”
“The predictability and stability that it engenders provides an enabling environment for all states to pursue their respective aspirations. It provides a credible legal regime that guarantees just and equitable access by all states to the global commons, and to all frontiers that could lead to sustainable development,” he also said.
He lamented, however, that “fellow defenders” of the international system that was formed in 1945 have shifted priorities, “turning more inward and prioritizing urgent national concerns, at times at the expense of the principles we used to champion collectively.”
This, he added, was taken advantage of by some “other powers” that be.
“Unfortunately, such narratives at times dominate, obscuring the international community’s judgment. For instance, the complex issue of competing claims in the South China Sea has, for years, been unfortunately and simplistically reduced to ‘the South China Sea’ disputes, as if all claims are equal. They are not. The assertions of littoral states have to pass the test of conformity with international law, particularly the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas) and definitive, binding interpretations, such as the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he said.
Without identifying which country he was referring to, Marcos said misinformation and inaccurate narratives “distract” the Philippines from calling out illegal and unlawful actions, specifically violations of international law.
He said some countries justify such aggressions “under the pretext of geopolitics.”
“Just as disconcertingly, there are those who seek to discredit international procedures and dismiss binding rulings to cloak opaque claims with a semblance of legitimacy. It has become the responsibility of all stakeholders — including the Philippines and India — to play a more active role in upholding, defending, and preserving our rules-based order,” he said.
Marcos said the “strategic partnership” forged between the Philippines and India – the fifth of such partnership after Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and the Republic of Korea – is testament to the two countries’ reconvergence and alignment of interests.
“India has emerged as one of the countries with which the Philippines finds these sterling qualities. Sea lines of communications crisscross the Indian Ocean. Maritime trade to and from the Far East and the Pacific through the Indian Ocean has, and continues to underpin, our prosperity and our people’s aspirations for centuries. Safe navigation and security are important, especially for Filipino and Indian seafarers who are on almost every ship plying these historic and strategic sea routes,” he said.
The forum in India marked the third day of Marcos’ five-day state visit to India.
Also on Wednesday, the Philippine-India Business Forum presented to Marcos at least 18 agreements in such areas as renewable energy, digital services, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
“These agreements cover a wide range of strategic sectors and serve as tangible outcomes of our collaborative efforts. These will serve as the foundation for ongoing and future business engagements between Philippines and India,” said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.
Roque thanked all the companies that worked tirelessly to transform the agreements into reality.
Meanwhile, Marcos arrived in Bangalore on Thursday afternoon where he is also expected to meet with business groups and other stakeholders.
